Long-awaited 7th Street Caltrain Crossing Opens at Mission Bay

It's only a few short yards, but it's a giant's leap for residents of Mission Bay in their travels around the foot of Potrero Hill and the new UCSF Mission Bay campus.

Tomorrow, the long-awaited crossing of 7th Street over Caltrain's tracks is opening.

'I am excited to announce that the 7th Street railroad crossing at the end of Berry Street is scheduled to open early tomorrow morning - barring any unforeseen technical issues that would create safety hazards,' said Catherine Reilly, Acting Project Manager for the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, in a press release sent to residents this afternoon.

Workmen putting the finishing touches to the crossing late this afternoon said everything should be ready for a 4 am opening. The crossing is next to the end of Mission Creek and alongside the pillars of the Expressway.

Rumours were flying among the workmen that Mayor Gavin Newsom would be on the tracks at 4 am for an official opening. They weren't sure if they were having their leg pulled.

'There's going to be a lot of activity here at 1 am,' said one of the guys. 'Maybe they're just trying to chivvy us along!'

I rang Catherine Reilly who said she hadn't heard anything about it and thought it was a

joke. Earlier in the day she'd been in a meeting, she said, and someone had joked about the Mayor, who is settling into life with a new baby daughter, being there! However, she checked with a couple of people, just to be sure.

And the answer: 'We think someone's had their leg pulled! But it would have made for a bit of excitement!' she said.

One of the many local residents looking forward to the opening of the crossing said, 'It opens up access to Potrero Hill and the developing Mission Bay community.'

The new crossing is wider than most because it runs across three tracks instead of two. Safety tips on its use are included in the press release, among them a note that Caltrain operates in a “push-pull” mode.

This means that southbound trains are pulled by the engine, but northbound on their way back into the city, the engine pushes the train from the rear. 'Despite their size, trains can be difficult to hear, especially in the “push” mode,' says Catherine Reilly.

Residents are also advised that the crossing will be noisy. Train horns will sound ¼ mile before the crossing, and crossing gate bells will ring.

'Let's Go Fly a Kite!'

Over 70 children coloured kites and clutched strings as 'let's go fly a kite!' was a popular activity in the picturesque Mission Creek Park today.

The children designed and assembled their own kites and flew them, their mums and dads having just as much fun.

'It's great, it's the first time I've been here,' said Cindy, watching six-year-old Brandon draw with crayons on his kite in the pavilion.

Brandon meticulously explained his design: an airport, airplanes, lots of trains on the tracks and a broken wheel.

Was he looking forward to flying it?

'Yes!' he said.

Kite Day was staged by the Mission Bay Parks System, part of whose role is to provide community events. This is the second time they have had a kite-flying day for the public, and have just held two others for day camps for UCSF, whose new campus is behind the park.

Property Manager, Carolyn, was pleased by the response. Over 70 people had made an RSVP on behalf of children and others had just showed up.

'At Mission Bay you have wind and you have children!' she said, though she added, as she stood in the sun enjoying the kites, that the day had not turned out to be as windy as usual.

Independence Day Houseboat Party 2009 - 4

Among the houseboat residents at Mission Creek who had generously invited neighbours and friends to share in their July 4 celebrations were Glendora and Bob - see previous blogs

They have been living on a houseboat in the community for 30 years. Surveying the activities from beneath a blue umbrella, Glendora said

happily, ''The party is very well attended.'

Further down the bank, one of her neighbours, Amy, was spending the afternoon in the shade of a tree, spinning and weaving. What did she think of Independence Day?

'Dissent is not unpatriotic,' she said enigmatically, before disappearing to refill her plate.



















Someone who didn't voice an opinion at all, but was very much enjoying herself, was Luce, a beautiful one-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog.

Dad and mum, Greg and Courtney, were guests at the party with their baby twins, Jonathan and Sophia.

'It's just been fun, it's a good get-together,' said Greg.

A great summing up of the afternoon's festivities came from Mike. Lounging cheerfully between Carla and Glenn, he said,

'This is what our forefathers meant for Independence Day: good times, good food, a good day!'

Independence Day Houseboat Party 2009 - 3

'I think the holiday has lost its original purpose, it's more about gathering with family and friends. The value has changed, especially in the time of sketchy, low-ball politics,' said Jessica.

She was picnic-ing with sister Bianca and friend, Ruthie, celebrating America's birthday of July 4 amongst the houseboat community at Mission Creek - see previous blogs

It was a comment borne out by most of the other party-goers who spoke of their appreciation of having a day with their friends and neighbours without referring to the history of the occasion, freedom and liberty.

Jessica and Bianca are fifth-generation San Franciscans and all three girls are friends of the houseboaters. Ruthie had a choice of parties to go to, but she chose this one.

'It's just the weather by the creek,' she said, recalling past San Franciscan parties in the fog. 'This one's the most mellow party.'

All around, people were spread out on blankets

on the grass or on seats enjoying the food. Behind her, children were splashing in a paddling pool and at the far end a band were preparing to play.

Sitting under a coloured umbrella was Brigid, six-year-old Camille, and Francoise, with 16-month-old Emile on his knee happily eating an ice-cream.

'It's a chance for the family to get together,' said Brigid, another true San Franciscan whose father owns a boat on the creek.

Ironically, it took a Brit to break the mould of comments about family and friends.

'I treasure my independence and freedom!' said Ruth, in red and white striped skirt and blue swimming costume. In her straw hat, white shasta daisies that she grows in her garden.

Ruth is a Londoner. 'I have been in the city since the early 70s. I emigrated on the Niew Amsterdam,' she said.

pics: Bianca, Jessica, Ruthie; the band entertaining the party; Brigid, Camille, Francois, Emile; Ruth

Independence Day Houseboat Party 2009 - 2

'Here we are in the midst of what is supposedly a very sophisticated city and this is a glimpse of small town Americana,' said Don.

'This is what we are all nostalgic for. But,' he added, 'it probably never existed! We remember things better than they really were!'

Don was standing with his wife, Judy, and friends Jerry

and Jackie, along the sunny banks of Mission Creek among the houseboat community celebrations of Independence Day - see previous blog

His comment spurred an enthusiastic response from Jerry. 'That's a very good word, Americana,' he said, reminiscing. 'It's like a 49-er game, before the games we 'tailgate.'

Both couples live opposite the houseboats and were appreciative guests at the party. 'I'm so thrilled to meet my neighbours here across the creek and share our birthday with them,' said Judy.

While Jerry, holding Wafer, their chihuahua, in his red coat who is four-years-old next month, and Jackie commented: 'It's our first 4th of July party here and we're having a wonderful time. The food's not bad either!'

They were joined by Barbara. 'It's my 4th July outfit!' she said. She gave a twirl in her red, white and blue dangling earrings and tee-shirt of cats in patriotic hats, a feline celebration of Independence Day.

'I collect these shirts. I have some from all over the world,' she said, referring specifically to cat designs.



pics: Judy, Jerry, Wafer, Jackie, Don; picnic-ing in the sun; an unknown guest peeking out from a comfy bed; Barbara in perfect 4th July attire

Independence Day Houseboat Party 2009

July 4 is
Independence Day, the 'birthday' of America, celebrating the date in 1776 when the final Declaration of Independence was signed, freeing the country from British rule.

It's a flag-waving Red, White and Blue day for picnic-ing, barbecues, family and friend get-togethers and fireworks.

In the Mission Bay part of the city, the unique houseboat community at Mission Creek threw a generous party for their friends and neighbours.

Julie, pictured above in the sundress, is the partner of harbour master, Craig. The houseboat community is 30 years old, and this is the first time that their annual summer party has been combined with July 4, she said.

'We invite friends to come down and see a little bit of San Francisco that they don't normally see,' she said. This year, too, they had reached out to the surrounding community of new residents in the condos and apartments that now face them on the opposite side of the creek.

'The thing about living here in this community is that it is such a wonderful community, everyone knows each other and helps each other out.

'So putting it together today everybody pitched in, it was such a group effort. And that's the way things work around here!' she said.

Looking around the laden tables was proof of everyone's hard work and generosity. The tables were laden with a huge variety of delicious dishes and adorned with displays of fresh flowers.

At the end of one of the tables was Linda, in a patriotic red jacket and blue-and-white striped top. One of the new residents from the other side of the creek, she said, 'We love being neighbours of the houseboat people. They're very gracious to include us in their festivities.

'We invaded them in the last two years and now they look at our buildings (instead of having a city view).'

Also patriotically decked in red, white and blue, was Angela. About to tuck into a large slice of water melon and other delectables, she said, 'I think it's nice for everybody to come out and relax, without a computer, under the Californian sun. Neighbours can get together and chat, especially at this tough time of the year.'

More reports and pics in the next blogs...

Film Shoot of TV Pilot 'Trauma' 13

The 'emergency' helicopter left the scene of the TV pilot Trauma this evening, but not before flames once again shot from the stricken fuel tanker and smoke surrounded it - see previous blogs for stories

On the highway over Mission Creek it was action again. At 7 pm the helicopter's blades whirred.

Behind it the smoke that had been seen thinly all day by the tanker began to thicken, and suddenly flames burst out of the top of it.

The chopper lifted slowly off the highway and dipping its nose headed purposefully over the creek and towards the bay.

In the story, one of the victims to be ferried to hospital - there may be more - is one of a group of four young baseball players being driven by one of their mums. An interview with the boys is in an earlier blog.

Traffic was halted for a few minutes but flowed smoothly within minutes of the take-off. Filming on the highway is continuing through Wednesday.

pics by Chris

Film Shoot of TV Pilot 'Trauma' 12

An 'emergency' helicopter landing on the expressway over Mission Creek this afternoon left casual observers open-mouthed!

'I'm ducking for cover!' said Dave, standing there with fellow workers James and Reed as filming of the NBC pilot Trauma took on another dramatic turn - see previous blogs for yesterday's spectacular fireball and other stories

'He's way too close!' said James. The three men could scarcely believe their eyes as the blue and white chopper descended almost above our heads and appeared to barely clip the concrete sides of the highway.

But as it turned out minutes later, it was all a case of perspective. Taking a pic from another angle showed that the chopper was in fact well above the sides of the highway. Still, it will be a moment to be remembered!

As the helicopter landed, small explosions could be heard around the tanker on the film set where throughout the day thin wisps of smoke have been rising up. The pilot features paramedics rushing to the rescue of a multi-vehicle pile-up and tanker explosion.

By 3 pm the helicopter was circling the area and making a couple of low fly-pasts before landing successfully on the highway.

Traffic on the northbound Interstate 280 that runs over the creek and past the foot of Potrero Hill has mostly been slowed to a crawl today.

pics show: the helicopter has landed!; descending over the concrete; making a fly-past over the highway and creek with Potrero Hill in the background; Dave, James and Reed.

Film Shoot of TV Pilot 'Trauma' 11

It's been a life and death experience for these four boys today: they have been involved in a car crash with an exploding tanker and for one still to come, there is a helicopter airlift to hospital with an emergency tracheotomy performed mid-flight.

But at 5.30 pm these young actors in baseball outfits were happy and healthy along the creek at Mission Bay and waiting to see the tanker blow up - all part of the NBC Universal Media Studios pilot, Trauma, an action drama based on the heroics of paramedics - see previous blogs

The boys, pictured with supporting actress Aimee, are 'car pool' kids travelling with one of their mums when the terrible accident occurs. Their car crashes into another in the multiple pile-up around the tanker.

'It's kind of hard work, but when you're doing it it's really fun being on set with all the actors,' said ten-year-old Joseph, the one who will undergo the tracheotomy.

'It was really fun,' said ten-year-old Anthony. 'It's a good way to get out of the house for a bit.'

'It's kind of hard work. It tires you out a lot,' said ten-year-old Max. 'It can be fun at times but most of it is hard work.'

'I enjoyed it,' said 12-year-old Devohn.

The boys were working for Beau Bonnaeu Casting with three of them being picked from details sent in by their mums. Only Joseph auditioned.

Would the boys like to be actors when they were older?

They all said they would. 'I'd love to be an actor,' said Joseph.

'Most likely,' said Max, and added with a sense of realism, 'but all actors need a different job as well.'

Their favourite TV shows and movies?

For Devohn it was the movie, Dude, Where's My Car?, Anthony, Superhero the Movie, Max, the TV show Drake and Josh, while Joseph chose the movie, Taken, CSI, Nickleodeon and Disney.

Supporting actress, Aimee, had been doing some acting with the boys.

'It's been fun, it's been our first day,' she said. But she had certainly experienced the actors' trials of long drawn-out days.

'We did one scene then broke for lunch and then we've been waiting for five hours,' she said.

She didn't have much longer to wait. The helicopters were overhead and soon the spectacular fireball burst out of the tanker.

'I think that's exciting. It's so great that the boys got to be part of that,' said Anthony's mum, Diane.

After a night's rest the boys will be back on scene tomorrow, once more transformed into the traumatised victims of a horrific crash.

pic shows: Devohn, Anthony, Joseph and Max with Aimee

Film Shoot of TV Pilot 'Trauma' 10

At the top of the small jetty on the creek, Patrick as an amateur photographer was celebrating the success of capturing great shots of the exploding fire tanker - see previous blogs

'I got a really good shot!' he started to say.

'That was very cool!' suddenly said a young woman tapping me excitedly on the arm as she passed by.

Patrick had had the help of the 'fire squad' who had been tuning in to the action on their radios.

'We did a countdown,' he said. 'First they said there was a fire in the hole (of the tanker), then we counted down. That's why I had my camera at the spot and was able to get the good shots.'

He flicked through his camera replay to show me.

Billowing flames exploding over the creek, the houseboats and the expressway. A one-off capturing of an event that will never be repeated here at Mission Bay.

Filming of the pilot will continue on the expressway for the next three days and around the city for another three weeks. Mayor Gavin Newsom and the San Francisco Film Commission are hoping that this $7 million pilot earner will translate into a production bringing jobs, profit and prestige to the city.

pics: more of the tanker explosions still in sequence from previous blog, and helicopters flying overhead - pics by Chris; Patrick at the top of the jetty

Film Shoot of TV Pilot 'Trauma' 9

They said 'fireball'. And it was!!!

All of a sudden an ENORMOUS, ORANGE AND RED FIREBALL EXPLODED OUT OF THE WAITING TANKER.

Even though we were expecting it over the creek at Mission Bay, the boom and the ferocity of flames that appeared to cover the tanker took everyone by surprise. A flock of seagulls rose over the water squawking raucously, two helicopters circled low in tandem.

This was special effects, true Hollywood style. And there were no disappointments as NBC Universal faked the crucial scene for their TV pilot, Trauma, that involves a tanker crash on the expressway with a multiple car and taxi pile-up - see previous blogs for interviews and action throughout yesterday and today.

'It was good! Fantastic! said Brad, the dad I had interviewed last night with his six-year-old son, Connor. As Brad turned to leave he said, 'That's a lot of smoke! Wow! That was amazing!' the accolades were growing by the second.

'I loved that!' said Connor.

It had been a long wait. The action had been promised for some time between 1 pm and 4 pm, but the clock ticked over the deadline - with nothing!

Then 4.30 pm passed and the gathered crowd from earlier in the afternoon dissipated. Even Jackie and Janaya who had travelled across the Bay especially to see the filming disappeared as late afternoon shadows fell over the creek.

Crew had cut a hole in the roof of the tanker for the explosives to shoot through. In final 'prep', a camera boom was seen focussing on the tanker and an NBC news van arrived on the other side of the creek, parked at a safe distance below the expressway and put up its antennae ready to catch the action for its evening news broadcast.

The first helicopter arrived sometime between 5.15 pm and 5.30 pm and circled over the creek and expressway. It was joined by the second after 5.30 pm.

At 5.50 pm, Brad, standing there with binnoculars, said, 'They're bringing in the actors. It's a lot of waiting,' he added, 'It wouldn't be the industry for me!'

Suddenly, kaboom! We were in the midst of it! Socks nearly blown off!

pics by Chris show the explosion in sequence: the first explosion timed at 5.52 pm

Film Shoot of TV Pilot 'Trauma' 8

Along the creek at Mission Bay a surprisingly small crowd of onlookers have gathered to watch the pyro-technic display of a tanker exploding on the expressway above.

Several in the crowd had heard that the action would be at 2.30 pm but at nearly 4 pm were still waiting.

By about 2.30 pm there had been some movement of vehicles. Support trucks carrying props moved away and a red and white ambulance - the ambulance
service in the USA is run by Fire Departments - manoeuvred close to the tanker.

Not too long after, three police cars formed a line behind the ambulance.

At 3.50 pm an NBC news van is pulling up across the


creek. The pilot TV film, Trauma, an action drama featuring brave paramedics to the rescue, is being made by NBC Universal Media Studios in association with Film 44.

Among the waiting crowd was Jackie with daughter, Janaya, who had travelled across the Bay Area to be here.

'It's something exciting to see!' said Jackie, as she sat on a bench by the Kayak House opposite the houseboats.

'It's something you don't see every day,' said Janaya.

'We've just moved back from LA,' said Jackie.' When we go to Santa Monica on Highway 1 we can see them sometimes filming on the beach, but we've never stopped,' she said.

So is this the closest you've been to a film shoot?

'Pretty much, yeah!' she said.

Janaya, who preferred not to have her pic taken, is a fan of drama and action movies. Her favourite TV shows are Law and Order, Criminal Intent and CSI Las Vegas, while her favourite film is Four Brothers.

pics show: the tanker with scenes being shot around it; Jackie; the end of Mission Creek by the Kayak House; and a view of the creek down towards Fourth Street

Film Shoot of TV Pilot 'Trauma' 7

By 11 am friendly police officers were out on the junction at King and Fourth Streets, starting to redirect traffic in early preparation for the explosive fireball that will shoot skywards over Mission Creek. (see previous blogs)

A drama that will send its paramedic stars rushing heroically to the rescue in the ensuing multi-car pileup.

The explosion, said SFPD officer, John, will take place between 1 pm and 4 pm, but signs that the big action is about to happen will be when helicopters hover over the crash site ready for their role.

Rescue helicopters will be landing as part of the NBC TV pilot Trauma, as well as being used to film the scene.

Around the corner on Berry Street, Miguel - 'Mike' - and Angel were preparing lunch for the hungry crews. If you're going to spend the day around an exploding tanker and involved in a major accident as victim or rescuer, you've got to eat!

And the food looked very good, with salads and desserts.

Mike, from LA, and Angel, from San Francisco were working with an LA catering company and Mike had been there since 2.20 am and Angel since 3.20 am! They are catering for 200 people.

'We're the holy catering company!' joked Angel, in reference to his name, pronounced in Spanish without the 'g' sound, and Mike's being the same as the biblical angel, Michael.

pics show: Mike and Angel; SFPD officer, John, blocking off the King Street junction

Film Shoot of TV Pilot 'Trauma' 6

More pics of the scene on King Street at 8.30 am today as crews get ready for today's filming of the TV pilot 'Trauma' (see previous blogs)